Sunday 4 November 2012

Storytelling Sunday: first trip to London.

Hello and welcome to November's edition of Storytelling Sunday in association with Sian of From High in the Sky.

I would like to take you back, way back to the late 70s, in fact 1979 when my parents took me and lil sis to London for the very first time. We lived in West Sussex in those day and the company my dad worked for had a small flat near Green Park and so we went by train and stayed there.
It was around this time of year, as The Lord Mayors show was on and we got caught up in the excitement of watching all the carriages going by while we fought through the crowds with our luggage.

The main reason for us going was because we were going to the theatre to see this.........


 The shows star was of course Yul Brynner who had made the role of The King famous in the film of the musical with Deborah Kerr. For this production another famous English was chosen, Miss Virginia McKenna..................
Here are the two stars with some of the Royal children..............



Now I have a newish friend here in Wells who has an amazing work history. He went to fashion college and then worked at Bermans and Nathans, one of the most famous British costumiers of TV and film. So it was great interest that he told me how he had actually worked on some of those costumes.

Although he never worked directly with the stars, he was one of the people responsible for hand stitching the intricate embroidered gold pieces onto the children's jackets and also working on the special trousers worn by Yul Brynner himself. He also worked on a number of other productions in his time. 


My family and I sometimes talk about going to see this show and how Yul Brynner got a 10 minute non-stop standing ovation. It was a truly spectacular show and even though I have seen many show since then it remains one of my favourites.
I found this video of the children marching in to meet Anna for the first time and it shows the costumes my friend worked on really well.....................




15 comments:

  1. It never fails to astound me the connections we make. It would have been truly fantastic to see Yul Brynner live in this role, he had such a presence in the screen version. You always come up with a good one Jo!

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  2. I saw Yul Brynner in this production! We took my parents to see it for a wedding anniversary celebration. Such a great show. How lovely that you had a personal connection to the show too.

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  3. It sounds a wonderful experience,Jo....and how amazing to now have that new connection.

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  4. I loved the King and I but I am also a real fan of musicals generally how fab to have seen the 'original' King!

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  5. How lovely to have a link now which illuminates something from the past! It must have been a marvellous occasion.

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  6. Wow, Jo - what a great experience, and what a fascinating friend!

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  7. Jo, this is fantastic! You actually got to see Yul Brynner in a show?! My Mum has always loved him and we were brought up hearing the record of this show. And of course the costumes were what made it so very special - this story has a magical quality to it I think!

    Thank you for joining in today - it's always a pleasure when a post pops up from you

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  8. How wonderful. I loved watching that video clip and remembering the show and to hear of your connection now to someone who stitched some of the costumes. They were amazing.

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  9. Oh how wonderful! I just love the King and I and would have loved to have seen this!

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  10. How awesome for you that you got to see that show live with famous actors!

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  11. I am very rarely jealous, but I think a little bit of green is making its way in after this story! I would have LOVED to have seen this show (although i was only two when this story happened) as I love that musical. That is an amazing story to have and to then have more of the background is even better. Thanks for sharing this. I am glad I have found the time to catch up on STS.

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  12. I love Musicals too...how special to have seen that particular production of The King and I
    Alison xx

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  13. What a fantastic trip down memory lane! Sorry I'm so late getting around to the stories,
    Rinda

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  14. Oh fab story TFS - loved the clip too. How great to find another connection through your friend too!

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  15. That's super getting to see him in The King and I" and what a neat connection with that friend.

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Hello and thank you so much for stopping by. It is always a pleasure to read the comments I receive and to meet new friends. I try and reply to comments on friend's blogs as much as possible. I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog and look forward to seeing you here again soon. Love Jo xxx